Kevin Sinfield saluted his side's attitude over the last month after they once again defied the odds to retain their Super League crown.

Sinfield produced a man-of-the-match performance, which included recovering from being knocked out early in the second half, to record a 26-18 victory over Challenge Cup winners Warrington.

The Rhinos finished fifth in the league but have a reputation of lifting their game in the play-offs and it proved so again this year, defeating Wakefield at Headingley before triumphing away to Catalan Dragons and Wigan.

"A month ago we were dead and buried. We got a towelling at Huddersfield and you couldn't have written this again," Sinfield told Sky Sports 1.

"You come here against a great side and we were able to grind that out again.

"Our boys have really dug in for a month now. Wakefield, Catalan away, Wigan away and this. All great scenes."

The veteran stand-off scored a try and kicked five goals from as many attempts to collect his second Harry Sunderland Trophy.

They did not get off to the best of starts, however, with half-back Richie Myler giving Warrington an early lead. Warrington's other tries came from Joel Monaghan and Ryan Atkins.